Tank roof



Oct. 18, 1932. J, A STQUGH y 1,883,076

TANK ROOF Filed May 2l, 1.928

I N VEN TOR.

Jqy Sway/7 BY am ATTORNEY Y Patented Oct. .18, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENTorFlcEv JAY A. STOUGH, OF TULSA, OKLAHOMA, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNEASSIGNMENTS, TO THE PHILIP CAREY MANUFACTURING COMPANY, A CORPORATION OFOHIO TANK ROOF Application filed May 21, 1928.

My invention relates to oil storage tanks and more particularly to roofsfor such tanks, the present invention constituting an iinprovement overmy prior application, Serial No. 245,602, filed January 9, 1928, andhaving for its object the sealing of the tank against leakage of gasesemanating from the contained liquid, and the collection and conductanceof static electricity and lightning from the roof, thus preventingignition of the contents of the tank.

Further objects of the invention are to provide a conductive coveringfor insulating roof strips, and to connect the edges of metallic stripsconductively.

In accomplishingthese and other objects of the invention I have providedimproved details of structure, the preferred forms of which areillustrated in the accompanying drawing, wherein:

F ig. 1 is a vertical sectional perspective view of the upper part of atank wall and a part of the roof structure.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the tank roofespecially illustrating a metallic conductor connecting the adjoiningstrips of the upper metallic layer of the roof.

Referring in det-ail to the drawing:

1 designates an oil storage tank constructed in accordance with commonpractice and including my improvements hereinafter described,

The tank comprises a metallic side Wall 2, fitted at its upper end withan exterior metal 2 ring 8 having an outwardly extending hori* zontalflange 4 to receive the outer margin of a roof covering 5 including aplurality of layers presently described.

Posts 6 are attached to the inside of the walls 2 for supporting beams7, and girders 8 are supported from the beams and from a pillar (notshown) located centrally within the tank, the pillar being of greaterheight than the tank walls for producing a convex roof.

Serial No. 279,389.

Sheathing 9 laid over the girders 8 provides a. convex floor surface 1()extending from the walls 2 to the apex at the center of the tank, andthe roof covering 5 supported on and attached to the sheathing by nails11 is built up in the following order.

A layer of fabric roofing material 12 preferably asbestos, is firstsuperimposed on the sheathing and over the ring flange t, and a cementcoating 13 impervious to water and gases is spread over the fabricelement. An overlying layer of insulating material 14.-, preferably ofcellular material, such as celotex, of sucient thickness to provideinsulation from the sun rays, is applied to the cement and therebysealed to the fabric. A second cement coating 15 similar to the coat 13is applied to the top surface of the celotex. On the cement coat l5 isapplied a preferably composite layer of rooiing material 16 comprisingparallel strips of asbestos 17 having an outer metallic skin 18, thestrips being overlapped as indicated at 19 and sealed to the celotex bythe cement 15.

A metallic sectionally constructed annulus 20 overlies the outer portionof the roof covering, the inner portion of the annulus being sealinglyconnected with adjacent asbestos strips 17 by asbestos fibrated,flexible cement 21, Fig. 1.

The outer portion of the annulus l20 is secured to the flange 11 of thering 3 and conductively connected therewith by bolts 22; and lag bolts23 secureI the inner portion of the annulus to the sheathing, the bolts22 and 23 extending through the intervening roof covering elements.

In order to conductively connect the metallic skin surfaces 18 of thestrips 17 at their adjoining edges and to connect the strips with theannulus 20, a conductive substance-24, comprising a heavy coat ofaluminum or other suitable material is applied over the joints ofadjoining strips and over the adjoining edges of the annulus andadjacent strip,

thereby uniting the strips and connecting the annulus conductivelythereto, and 'forming a continuous metallic surface for the tank.

y The insulating elements ct the root provide 5 means for retaininggases, fumes and vapors and are respectively adapted for resistingdeteriorating iniiuence ci sun rays and vapors and are relativelynon-conductive to elec tricity. lo Themetal covering serves to collectstatic electricity generated above the root and to conduct theelectricity to the ivall of the tank which is conductively connected tothe ground, thereby eliminating the danger of ,15 ignition ofthecontents ot the tank by lig itning, and ignition ot' escaping gas bystatic sparks.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: Y Y 2n l. In atank, a root for the tank including overlapping` metallic strips, aplastic substance conductive to electricity 'tor sealing joints betweenstrips, and means tor conductively grounding the strips.

, 2. In a tank, a root for .thetank including Overlapping metallicstrips, a` plastic substance conductive to electricity for sealingjoints between strips, means for conductively grounding the strips, andan insulating cov- 30 ering belenT the metallic covering for insulatingthe metallic covering trom the interior of the tank. l Y

3. In a tank, a root for the tank including overlapping metallic strips,a plastic sub- .nstance conductive to electricity for sealing jointsbetween strips, means for concuctively grounding the strips, a. cellularmaterial for insulating the metallic covering` from the in? terior ofthe tank, and means for sealing the cellular material from the contentsof the tank.

4. A structure having a roof including sheets of ibrous roofing having ametallic skin, a grounded metallic edging member at the edge of theroof, and a plastic substance conductive to electricity ior sealing thejoints betweenadjoining sheets and between thc sheets and the edgingmember.

In testimony whereof I aiiiX my signature.

JAY A. STOGI-.

